A drab home's surprising transformation

Reading is a passion that we all share. The smell of books and the flourish of imagination
as you get into a story is something that all
bookworms can identify with! And this passion for books led the owners of a
drab and dreary home in Tokyo to transform their abode into a quaint and cosy bookstore
and cafeteria. They approached the restoration and renovation experts at NU
Renovation for this project, and the result is simply delightful. The open-plan
layout of the home which integrates the living, dining and kitchen areas now holds
smart shelves of countless books. It offers tranquil reading pleasure for hours on end, all in a chic, comfy setting where food and digital entertainment are
easily accessible.

Before: stuck in a time warp

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An outdated kitchen with a shabby table and boring cabinets characterised this corner. Harsh white
light made the space seem jarring as the wood begged for a smattering of wax
and polish. And the walls were dingy and depressing too. This apartment had
lots of potential that could go a long way in creating a lasting impression, as
we will soon find out!

After: a bright and inviting haven

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The home has been turned into a bookstore and café with a simple realignment
of perspective and layout. The dining table and chairs have been placed in
the centre, while the shelves have been left on one side of the huge hall to create
corridors. Glass doors now line one side, and delicate reading lamps hang
from the ceiling in rows of three. The stripped-down look presents a loft-like feel that promises comfort and intellectual rejuvenation. The navy blue bean
bags in the living area make it an ideal relaxation spot, into which you can sink and watch the rain pour outside as a story unravels inside.

After: entertainment, entertainment, entertainment

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With the walls knocked down to make more space for readers, this bookstore now
gets an entertainment centre surrounded by shelves and with musical instruments
nearby. If you're not in the mood to read, then the television and other
forms of entertainment in the living space will keep you company. The table in the middle and the kitchen on the side have also been revamped to bear polished wooden and gleaming
chrome surfaces.

After: a harmonious medley of timber

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The various hues and polishes of the wooden textures make this space an interesting one. While
pale, Nordic-style polished wood covers the floor, a more rustic timber beautifies
the table and chairs. The exposed concrete of the ceiling has also been given a
subtle texture that glows with the lighting.

After: a joy to behold

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This bookstore is now a joy to be in, thanks to its cosy wooden aura and the simple, no-fuss
look that lets the imagination wander!

Inspired by the charming makeover of a once-gloomy home into a welcoming bookstore and cafe? We are too. Some clever structural tweaks, and the well-planned addition of some shelves have changed the entire appearance of the original abode. The introduction of glass, a concrete finish for the ceiling and the revamping of the kitchen with wooden textures, complete the impressive look of this bookish paradise. Here's another before & after story for more ideas: Bland to blooming: a tiny balcony’s magical makeover.